Page 30 of Immortal Throne

There. It felt like a good compromise.

“I’m Zane, one of the demons in your father’s old guard. And if you need anything during your stay here, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

I wanted to jump out of my skin at that. “You knew my father?”

“Sure did. As well as anyone could know Lucifer.” Zane gestured toward the raised dais holding the throne. When I didn’t move right away, he walked over, rested his spear on the steps and sat down. He patted the dark stone beside him.

I had options.

I could walk or run away. I could remain standing at a safe distance.

But none of these other options would get me answers.

With a deep sigh, I walked over and perched my butt on the edge of the step. Chupey plopped his ass down between us and my hand fell automatically to his hairless back. My fingers ran along something hard and spiky. I gasped and snapped my hand away. Instead of Chupey’s normally smooth back, bony spikes protruded from his spine.

Chupey thumped his tail on the steps. “Told you I was a Chupacabra.”

I snorted and rubbed circles along his side, avoiding the spines, like I used to. Before all this demon craziness.

No matter what my instincts told me about staying on guard, I wanted to know more about my father and this place. I craved it, the way some people did their morning coffee. This demon had known my father. He knew more than I did about the man who had sired me. More than my mother had ever been willing to divulge outside those unspoken words when she forced me into self-defense classes.

“Your father wasn’t an easy man. Of course not, because he reigned over the Underworld. He was brutal and vicious, but not without reason.”

I groaned. “Not really helping me feel any better, Zane.”

The demon shook his head before saying, “You look like him, you know. You have the same features.”

“Funny, I’ve always been told I look exactly like my mom.”

“By those who never knew your father, maybe. But you’ve got his smile, too. And from the stories that have reached us of your fighting, then you also have his bloodthirsty resolve to win at all costs. It’s an admirable trait.”

Maybe down here it was. Not so sure it could help me out in the living realm. That kind of stuff was normally frowned upon.

“Wait a minute. Who has been telling stories about me?” I asked. Then, I narrowed my eyes and turned on my dog.

He apparently had a more active social life than I did.

Chupey glanced away.

“Not much has reached us, mind you. Only stories of your victories. How you’ve demolished your opponents with a single hit,” Zane continued.

“Not completely true, but thank you,” I said, while Chupey remained suspiciously quiet. When I turned to the demon again, he was smiling wide with pointed teeth and with admiration. My chest warmed. He was proud of me—actually proud of me—and for all those times I fought and won in the Underground.

It was nice to have that kind of recognition. I hated to admit it, but between Mom and Becca’s obvious disapproval, I’d been craving it for a long time.

Unexpectedly, Zane jumped to his feet again. “Come on. There’s much more to tell and show you before the Inferno begins. It’s time you learn about your true home.”

I stood too, but on wobblier legs. Even my head was light, but not from a mystery sickness. From…well, fromeverything.

I’d been given so much information, and in an instant, my world had been turned on its head. I’d gone from thinking I was dying to finding out Hell was real, my father was Lucifer, a king, and I had to compete for the throne to save myself, a throne Ryker wanted as well. Then I’d discovered that after all these years of thinking my father didn’t give two shits about me, he’d been protecting me, missing me,lovingme, from afar. Oh, and let’s not forget that my garbage eating, butt-scratch loving rescue dog was a fucking Chupacabra and I was a demon.

Okay, half demon. But still.

It was…a lot.

I swayed on my feet and instantly felt Chupey’s fuzzy head push against my leg, as if he was trying to help me stay upright.

“Careful, there,” Zane said, brow crinkling with concern. “Take it easy.”

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